(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 26, 2004) – Are you tired of smoking or chewing tobacco? Have you been trying to quit this habit for years? If so, now is your chance.

The Maricopa County Tobacco Use Prevention Program and the PC Wellness committee team up to offer a free quit tobacco class at Phoenix College beginning Sept. 7. The class will meet every Tuesday from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. until Oct. 12, in HC 4 in the lower level of the Hannelly Center.

Participants will learn techniques to help them quit and get the support needed to remain tobacco-free. The classes are facilitated by Arizona Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists and all participants will receive 50 percent off the retail price of nicotine replacement therapy, such as the patch or gum.

If you are still debating whether or not to attend this free class, consider that when you quit, your body begins to heal immediately. For example:

• In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal;
• In 24 hours, your risk for a heart attack decreases;
• In one year, excess risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker; and,
• In five to 15 years, stroke risk decreases to that of someone who has never smoked.

For more information or to register for the free class, please call (602) 372-7272.

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